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Ephedrine vs Stenabolic: side-by-side comparison

Fat Burner

Ephedra · ECA Stack · Ma Huang

A sympathomimetic amine that works through both direct beta-receptor activation and indirect norepinephrine release to increase thermogenesis and metabolic rate. The classic fat burner, often stacked with caffeine and aspirin (ECA stack). The JAMA meta-analysis of ephedra/ephedrine trials shows ~0.9 kg/month weight loss above placebo. Carries significant cardiovascular risks.

5.0/10 natty
Full breakdown →
VS
Fat Burner

SR9009 · SR-9009

A Rev-Erb agonist that improves metabolic rate and circadian rhythms. Enhances exercise capacity and metabolism without affecting hormones.

5.0/10 natty
Full breakdown →

5 / 10 natty scale / 5

Same lane

Both sit in the same class and are run for cutting, performance. This is a like-for-like comparison: read the gaps as real trade-offs.

The tape

Core ratings

The same three rulers every entry on the site is scored with, read head to head.

EphedrineStenabolic
5.0

Natty scale

1 natural · 10 heavy

5.0
4.0

Effectiveness

Documented effect · of 5Δ0.5

3.5
3.0

Side-effect severity

Documented burden · of 5Δ1

2.0

Cost side

Body-load fingerprint

Where each one actually lands its strain, on the calculator's thirteen channels. Tap a row for what it means and which labs track it.

EphedrineStenabolic

Cardiometabolic

Organ strain

Systemic

Bars show strain at each one's typical protocol, not your dose. ≈ marks values inferred from side-effect data or category rather than hand-graded. For your numbers, run the calculator.

Logistics

The vitals

EphedrineStenabolic
Fat Burner
Classmatch
Fat Burner
Oral
Routematch
Oral
20-75 mg/daySplit into 2-3 doses/day (commonly 20-25mg per dose); ranges above are total daily amounts. Avoid afternoon/evening dosing due to insomnia.
Typical dose
10-30 mg/dayDaily oral, split into 3-4 doses due to the short (~4 hour) half-life. Some users switch to injectable (reportedly ~5-10mg) or sublingual dosing to bypass first-pass metabolism and improve bioavailability, community-reported, not clinically verified.
3-6 hours
Half-life
~4 hours
4-12 weeks
Typical run
6-8 weeks
Controlled substance
Legal status
Research chemical
ProhibitedS6. Stimulants
WADAmatch
ProhibitedS4. Hormone and Metabolic Modulators

Benefit side

What each is for

Shared goals carry both dots; a goal with one dot belongs to that side alone.

EphedrineStenabolic
CuttingPerformance

Run for

Fat Loss/ThermogenesisThe JAMA meta-analysis (Shekelle et al. 2003) found ~0.9 kg/month weight loss above placebo (0.6-1.3 kg/month across combinations), alongside a 5-10% increase in energy expenditure. In the landmark 24-week Astrup et al. (1992) RCT, the ephedrine+caffeine group lost 16.6 kg vs 13.2 kg with placebo (3.4 kg more, p=0.0015).
Appetite SuppressionApproximately 75% of ECA stack's fat loss efficacy is attributed to decreased appetite. Only 25% from thermogenic effects.
Muscle Preservation During CuttingStudies show ephedrine + caffeine users lose more fat mass and less lean body mass compared to controls during weight loss.
Energy/StimulationCNS stimulant effects provide energy and focus for training during caloric deficit.

Documented upside

  • Meta-analysis (Shekelle et al. 2003, JAMA): ~0.9 kg/month weight loss above placebo (0.6-1.3 kg/month range)
  • Increases energy expenditure by 5-10%
  • 75% of effect from appetite suppression
  • Preserves lean mass during weight loss
  • Synergistic with caffeine (ECA stack)
+3 more on the full page

Run for

Metabolic EnhancementIncreases metabolic rate and energy expenditure.
Exercise CapacityImproves endurance and exercise performance.
Circadian RegulationMay improve sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythm.

Documented upside

  • Increased metabolism
  • Enhanced exercise capacity
  • No hormonal effects
  • May improve sleep patterns
  • Fat loss support

The downsides

Side effects, aligned

Each entry's documented side effects, sorted onto the same body systems so the gaps and the overlaps are visible. Tap any effect for the detail.

EphedrineStenabolic
Heart

None documented

Mood, sleep & CNS
Other documented effects

The exit

Hormonal fallout & recovery

What each does to your own hormone axis while on, and what leaving it costs.

EphedrineStenabolic
Not required
PCT
Not required
While-on only
What sticks
While-on only

Ephedrine

Does not affect HPT axis. No PCT required.

Stenabolic

Not hormonal. No PCT required.

Read-out

How they separate

  1. 01

    Enhancement

    They land at almost the same point on the natty scale (5/10 vs 5/10): a similar distance beyond natural.

  2. 02

    Side-effect bill

    Ephedrine's documented side-effect severity is heavier (3/5 vs 2/5). The body-load fingerprint above shows where that weight actually lands.

  3. 03

    Body load

    The widest gap at typical protocols is heart structure (Ephedrine 6.4/10 vs 0/10), then blood pressure (Ephedrine 6.4/10 vs 0/10).

  4. 04

    Coming off

    Neither requires PCT: both leave the natural testosterone axis running.

  5. 05

    Logistics

    typical runs are 4-12 weeks vs 6-8 weeks.

  6. 06

    Tested athletes

    Both are WADA-prohibited: neither belongs anywhere near tested competition.

Generated from each entry's data file. Descriptive, not a recommendation; nothing here is medical advice.

Full breakdownEphedrine→Full breakdownStenabolic→

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